GERARD HOULLIER went into the weekend insistent he would deliver both Premiership and Champions League glory to Anfield before he ends his work at the club.

GERARD HOULLIER went into the weekend insistent he would deliver both Premiership and Champions League glory to Anfield before he ends his work at the club.

Yet this morning, far from being buoyed by such well-meaning words of future promise, Reds supporters will be contemplating a more pressing concern: namely, are Liverpool ever going to win another league game?

It's now been 11 games and more than two months since West Ham were defeated and Houllier's unbeaten side sat proudly on top of the Premiership.

What has happened since has been as unbelievable as it is damaging.

The interminable wait for players and fans alike was extended by another week after Liverpool produced their most insipid and unimaginitive home performance of the season on Saturday.

If ever there was an opportunity to end their sorry run, this was it. Villa had failed to win on their travels this season, scoring just three goals and taking as many points from those games.

And with Michael Owen signalling his return to the starting line-up with a first Premiership goal since November, the time was surely right for the Reds to claim a precious three points. Alas, recent history betrayed Houllier's men and once ahead, the side were paralysed by the depressingly familiar traits of their shocking run of form.

A lack of decent width. A lack of service from midfield. The uncharacteristic uncertainty in defence. A lack of ingenuity. The complete absence of confidence. Not to mention the surrendering of yet another priceless lead.

But it is fear that is now hampering Liverpool, certainly at home. The fear of failure; the fear of making the mis-take which could provoke the ire of increasingly anxious supporters and consign the side to another winless weekend.

"Every mistake is being highlighted by the crowd," observed Villa boss Graham Taylor. "The frustration is with the fans and that can be translated on to the pitch."

Such fear was perfectly illustrated 12 minutes before time on Saturday. Pressing for the winner, Danny Murphy's slide-rule pass sent Vladimir Smicer clear in the penalty area with only Villa keeper Peter Enckleman to beat.

From that position, the Czech schemer should have at least tried his luck at goal. But, rather than run the risk of being berated for a possible miss, Smicer opted to slide a ball across the six-yard box which Villa's defence swiftly hacked clear.

Liverpool are going to have to show greater belief in themselves if they are to rescue anything from this Premier-ship campaign. Of course, that's easier said than done, and maybe it will take an outrageous piece of fortune or flash of individual skill to kick-start an upturn in form.

But at the moment neither seems forthcoming, and the corner which appeared to have been turned with vic-tory at Manchester City last weekend is in danger of becoming another dead end following defeat at Shef-field United and this latest setback.

"I have sympathy for my players and the fans," said Houllier. "The supporters were great and they know we are going through a storm. They know we are struggling."

Too true. On the evidence of this dismal showing, never mind winning the Champions League - it is going to take an almighty effort for Liverpool to merely take their place among the European elite next season.

And if Houllier is going to lift both the league and European Cup, it will not be with his present squad.

Murphy (right) spoke afterwards of the manager's great faith in his players, but he warned there would come a time when enough was enough and things had to change.

Surely, that time has come; the players cannot be defended any longer. Backsides must be kicked and teacups hurled around the dressing room if only to provoke some measure of reaction for Houllier's confidence-shot stars.

Aston Villa, their own confidence dented by their poor away run and last week's FA Cup elimination at home to Blackburn, outplayed Liverpool for spells on Saturday and there could have been no complaints had they won.

Twice in the opening minutes he beat Liverpool's defence to crosses, volleying narrowly over with his first effort and seeing Stephane Henchoz clear his second, as Villa sought to capitalise on nervousness among the home ranks.

Liverpool eventually roused themselves, and after Salif Diao had shot wide and Neil Mellor - given a first Premiership start after his Bramall Lane goalscoring exploits - fired at Enckleman.

Owen hit the side-netting from a good position and John Arne Riise saw a deflected 20-yard effort strike the outside of the post.

The goal finally arrived seven minutes before half-time.

El Hadji Diouf (right), in a rare display of width by Liverpool, skipped past two Villa defenders down the right before reaching the byline.

His attempted cut-back was handled by Olof Mellberg but, with his assistant flagging for a penalty, referee Paul Durkin waved play on and Owen fired impressively first-time into the bottom corner from 12 yards.

Taylor had his side warming up on the pitch during the interval, and it produced the desired reaction as Villa tore into a hesitant Liverpool at the start of the second half.

Stefan Moore crossed for what appeared a certain goal only for Chris Kirkland to beat out Ian Taylor's header from close range.

Then just moments later the Reds keeper saved well from Lee Hendrie.

Even after his equaliser, Dublin - who gave Hyypia a torrid time throughout - wasted another great chance to score when, unmarked, he headed over Ulises De La Cruz's cross from eight yards.

Hendrie had taunted Liverpool before the game, dismissing them as little more than a long-ball team.

But instead of proving the midfielder wrong, the Reds succeeded only in running a competition to discover which of their players could kick the ball furthest into the air.

There was little chance of a repeat of the excitement the two sides provided when they clashed at Villa Park in the Worthington Cup before Christmas as the quality of play plummetted.

The Reds did manage some goal threat, however. Murphy had one 20-yard free-kick cleared off the line by Jlloyd Samuel and, from a similar position, flighted a set-piece inches over, while substitute Emile Heskey fired a snap-shot at Enckleman and the keeper saved a speculative Gerrard drive, but it was not enough.

Liverpool's next three league games are at Southampton, at home to Arsenal and away at West Ham United.

A hat-trick of failures is unthinkable, but by no means impossible and certainly more likely than a trio of victories.

If that fact is to change then Houllier and his players need to change - and fast.

Otherwise, this season is in danger of becoming Liverpool's worst ever in the Premiership.